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Is responding "What?" disrespectful?

Posted by Anonymous

197 Replies

1 mom liked this

So I've never had anyone become up in arms when I've asked them "What?" before. A lady today was speaking to me from a respectable distance and I could not hear her. When I've responded "What?" to her she was up in arms and said "Excuse me?! I am a grown ass woman!" I was pretty taken aback by that since I've never considered it offensive.

ETA:

Thank you all for your insight! I have spoken to a few friends who all seem to think it is a regional difference. I'm from the North West and the lady is very Southern. I am very sure I wasn't speaking in a rude tone, however we both work together and I was in quick need of information so I said what I thought would grant me the quickest reply in turn. I try my best to be polite and mind my manners in conversation especially at work. I will definitely try to be aware that it is a faux pas here.

Yes, but not nearly as disrespectful as flipping out at someone who was not trying to be disrespectful. Its a bit rude, there are nicer ways to ask someone to repeat themselves, but its awful. I usually say "Im sorry, what?" as in "what did you say, I did not hear you" but im too lazy to finish the sentence. The child-raised-in-the-bible-belt in me cringes every time I do it because I know a correction is coming from somewhere LOL

Sounds like it was a HUGE bug up her ass that day! lol but no I don't find it disrespectfull. I'm sure we've all said it at one time or another. When I can't hear someone I've also said Pardon me and I'm sorry I didn't hear you.

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